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Basil - Dark Purple Opal

SKU: BA01126A
CA$3.90
CA$3.90
Unavailable
per item
Approximately 600-702 seeds per gram
Lot# BA01126​
Ocimum basilicum
Dark Opal Basil is popular sweet basil with regal, purple-black glossy foliage, pale pink flowers and a delicious aroma. Dark Opal grows at a steady pace. It produces small to medium sized, tender leaves, reaching an overall height of 30-45 cm (12 -18") tall.   Dark Opal Basil is slow to bolt and is normally a fairly low maintenance plant and quite easy to grow, as long as a level of basic care is provided throughout the year.  Basil thrives in containers, window boxes, and planters, so it’s easy to keep a steady supply growing right outside your door.
 Planting Instructions:   
  • For outdoor growing, sow basil seeds from mid-April to mid-May for transplanting to the garden in June.  Direct sow Basil seeds in late May or early June, once the soil has warmed up.  Basil requires warm soil and full sun.   Sow seeds 12mm (½") deep in sterilized seed starting mix.  Basil is prone to damping off, so once seeds sprout, make sure they are adequately ventilated, and kept under very bright lights.  Thin to 20-25cm (8-10") apart.  Using bottom heat speeds germination.  Use any rich, loose, well-drained soil.  Once plants are 15cm (6") tall, pinch out the growing tips to encourage really bushy growth prior to harvest.
  • Soil Conditions:  Well worked rich, loose well-drained soil. Ideal pH: 6.0-7.5
  • Planting Depth:  Sow seeds 12mm (½") deep.
  • Germination:  3-10 days.
  • Height at Maturity:  Dark Purple Opal Basil plants reach 30-45 cm (12 -18") tall.  Spread is about 30 cm (12”) wide. 
  •  Days to Maturity:   65 days.
  • Watering:  Average water use.  Keep soil moist but not saturated and allow soil to dry out between watering
  • Sun/Shade:  Full Sun     
  • Spacing after Thinning:   Space transplants one plant every 45-61cm (18-24”) apart in rows 45-61cm (18-24”) apart. 
Additional Information:
Open pollinated-untreated seeds. Once plants are 15cm (6″) tall, pinch out the growing tips to encourage really bushy growth prior to harvest. Watch for signs of flower buds forming in mid-summer, and pinch these off to promote more foliage.  Basil is an annual and it tends to grow best over the course of a single year. Opal Basil is known for growing with a forb like habit to a height of approximately 30-45 cm (12 -18") high.  Opal Basil is normally fairly low maintenance and quite easy to grow, as long as a level of basic care is provided throughout the year. Being aware of the basic soil, sun and water preferences will result in a happier and healthier plant. Basil thrives in containers, window boxes, and planters, so it’s easy to keep a steady supply growing right outside your door. Basil can be subject to various fungal diseases including Fusarium wilt, gray mold, and black spot, as well as damping-off in seedlings. Many of these problems can be eliminated by waiting to plant outside until the soil has warmed and by not overcrowding plants. Japanese beetles may skeletonize plant leaves; control pests by hand picking the bugs.